Today I have volleyball tryouts and I'm excited for them. I do feel a little bittersweet since this is my last time trying out for the sport I've played since 6th grade. I could've probably pursued going D1 for volleyball but I prefer basketball all the way.
I've been on varsity for volleyball since my freshmen year. I'm good at it, I am very aware of that. My biological dad was never the athletic type so I'm not really sure who I got my athletic genetics from. Maybe my mom because she seemed to run away fast when I was born.
Oh yea, more about my background. My biological dad is bisexual and was with my mom. My dad was closeted so when my dad came out to my mom, she ran away. She didn't even stay for just me. Fucking bitch.
But there was no time for sob stories because me and Maisie are on our way to volleyball tryouts.
I was supposed to be at detention today with Ms. Reed, but Ms. Reed wasn't even going to be there. So why should I go?
At Least she had some decency to let me know. That is kind of stupid though because why say that when you know I wouldn't go then? Speaking of her...
Gym today was kind of weird.
Ms. Reed refused to make any eye contact with me. Like what did I do? This isn't a love story, I'm not asking for a love story but isn't it normal for teachers to make eye contact with their students? Isn't that what all teachers want?
More on that later though because me and Maisie are going to volleyball tryouts now.
"Holy shit there are a lot more girls trying out this year." Me and Maisie made our way into the locker rooms where there were a lot more girls trying out this year than previous years.
Maisie and I met up with our two other friends who do volleyball. Claudia and Max don't play volleyball. Max does field hockey and Claudia probably does Pageant Competitions.
"Hey Ju."
Fuck. Ashley.
I love Ashley but I love her as a friend. I think she thinks of me differently but I've made it obvious countless times I'm not interested in her. She's a pretty girl, no doubt, but she's just not my type. I'm sure her and another delusional girl would make a perfect couple.
We chatted for a few minutes and are finally making our way to the gym where the volleyball nets are set up. For some reason they like having all of the blinds shut to get rid of all the natural sunlight.
But aren't they the ones always praising Vitamin D?
"I heard there's a new volleyball coach."
Mine, Maisie, and Ashley's face turn when our friend Brooklyn mentions that.
"Why is there a new volleyball coach? I really liked Mrs. Smith."
Its true. I really did. She found a way to make volleyball an exciting sport no matter what we were doing.
"She's on maternity leave. She had her child a few weeks ago. So by time she comes back, volleyball season will be at an end."
"That's a bummer. This was supposed to be our last year with her." When Maisie says that, my mind spirals. She's right. This is it. Last year was our last year playing with Mrs. Smith and none of us even knew.
Despite Mrs. Smith being on maternity, I had another question in mind.
"So who's the new volleyball coach then?"
"Alright everyone on the side lines now!"
You have got to be shitting me.
There she was. Ms. Bodacious. With her tall skinny self, her straight long black hair, her black glasses, and a paper with a clipboard hugging her chest.
"Are you kidding me." I murmur under my breath just for my friends to hear. Can't risk her overhearing and earning myself another week of detention.
Now it makes sense why there are so many more girls doing volleyball tryouts this year.
They all think Ms. Reed is hot.
I can't blame them. Except I'm actually good at the sport.
Ms. Reed makes eye contact with me and she looks like she's about to fucking murder me. Her eye is twitching and she has the most blank-evil look on her face.
She holds it with me for a second and I have a feeling Maisie can feel the energy when she looks at me with a questionable face after.
"Everyone, run back and forth across the court, now!"
Fucking kill me.
Everyone groans. What happened to us saying our names, our favorite color, and favorite season? Mrs. Smith, where are you during these desperate times?
I begin to start running when I hear this aggravating voice.
"Not you Ms. Oliver, come over here."
I'd rather show up drunk and throw up everywhere at a family gathering than walk over towards Ms. Reed.
"What's the problem Ms.?"
She looks me up and down and gives me an 'are you serious?' expression.
"What do you mean what's the problem? Why aren't you in detention?"
I scoff. This bitch man.
"I could ask you the same question. I have volleyball tryouts today and I wasn't going to miss them whether you were present in detention or not."
I can see her writing something down on her paper. She's probably writing 'stupid teenager giving psycho bitch teacher a bitchy attitude.'
"Doesn't matter if you had detention or not. You're injured and I'm afraid I can't risk having an injured player play."
"Well then maybe you shouldn't have almost ran over me yesterday!"
The room got silent. Ms. Reed looks around the gym seeing all the people trying out stand in place as I try to make Ms. Reed look me in the eyes.
"Why are you all just standing there?! Run!" Finally, Ms. Reed looks back at me with a clenched jaw. "Why don't we talk about this somewhere else?"
Gotcha bitch.
Me and Ms. Reed are now walking outside the gym but this time she doesn't drag me by the arm. I kind of wish she did. It was kind of our thing.
We stand outside in the hallway for a moment, neither one of us saying anything as Ms. Reed still refuses to make eye contact with me.
She would suck at a staring contest.
"Listen Jules, I am so sorry about yesterday. I didn't see you at all, I swear. I would never try to hit someone."
She said my first name instead of my last name. Now that's progress.
I've never directly told her my first name but I assume she saw it when she saw the list of people trying out.
"So why didn't you get out of your car and ask if I was okay?"
She sighs. For once in her life, she actually looks like she has a little remorse in her body.
"I was running late and I didn't want to be late on the first day."
I just shrug. I didn't really care. I kind of looked badass with these cuts and bruises.
"It's whatever. I don't really care. Just let me please play volleyball."
I can tell she's thinking about my offer because she looks up at the ceiling debating whether or whether not she should let me. Why is it my punishment for her own fault? I will start a riot if she doesn't let me go back in that gym and let me play.
"I'm sorry Oliver but I can't." I look down, disappointed. "There's a try out tomorrow morning at 7 AM. If you get enough rest tonight and show up on time, maybe I'll let you tryout."
I smirk a little bit but she still has a blank face. What would it take to make this girl break into a smile?
"Fine."
I wasn't going to argue with bitch teacher. On the brightside if I sit on the bench, I get an up-close view of all that Ms. Bodacious is packing. So win win I guess?
We go back into the gym and to my surprise everybody is still running. If Mrs. Smith was here everybody would've just been standing around, but I guess Ms. Reed really intimidates them.
I sadly sit down as I watch everybody finish warming up. I'm still a little bit pissed that I can't play today but it is what it is.
Throughout the practice though, I notice Ms. Reed stealing as many glances as she can. You're not that sneaky bitch.
I still don't know how I feel about Ms. Bodacious. Part of me hates her but that percentage dies down every second we talk. I've never talked to a teacher like I have with her.
It feels like more than a teacher-student relationship. I feel like this might grow into something more.
And I am not complaining at all.